's side, listening with a
pleasing look to the monotonous regular sound, like the breathing of
the demon, was unwilling to go.

"I am very glad I was with you to-day,--very glad, father," she kept
saying.

He said, as often--twice as often--that next summer, when he came back
to Enderley, she should be with him at the mills every day, and all day
over, if she liked.

There was now nothing to be done but to hasten as quickly and as
merrily as possible to our well-beloved Longfield.

Waiting for the post-chaise, Mrs. Halifax and the boys sat down on the
bridge over the defunct and silenced water-fall, on the muddy steps of
which, where the stream used to dash musically over, weeds and long
grasses, mingled with the drooping water-fern, were already beginning
to grow.

"It looks desolate, but we need not mind that now," said Mrs. Halifax.

"No," her husband answered. "Steam power once obtained, I can apply it
in any way I choose. My people will not hinder; they trust me, they
like me."

"And, perhaps, are just a little afraid of you. No matter, it is
wholesome fear. I should not like to have married a man whom nobody
was afraid of."

John smiled; he was looking at the horseman riding towards us along the
high road. "I do believe that is Lord Luxmore. I wonder whether he
has heard of my steam-engine. Love, will you go back into the mill or
not?"

"Certainly not." The mother seated herself on the bridge, her boys
around her; John avouched, with an air like the mother of the Gracchi,
or like the Highland woman who trained one son after another to fight
and slay their enemy--their father's murderer.

"Don't jest," said Ursula. She was much more excited than her husband.
Two angry spots burnt on her cheeks when Lord Luxmore came up, and, in
passing, bowed.

Mrs. Halifax returned it, haughtily enough. But at the moment a loud
cheer broke out from the mill hard by, and "Hurrah for the master!"
"Hurrah for Mr. Halifax!" was distinctly heard. The mother smiled,
right proudly.

Lord Luxmore turned to his tenant--they might have been on the best
terms imaginable from his bland air.

"What is that rather harsh noise I hear, Mr. Halifax?"

"It is my men cheering me."

"Oh, how charming! so grateful to the feelings. And WHY do they cheer
you, may I ask?"

John briefly told him, speaking with perfect courtesy as he was
addressed.

"And this steam-engine--I have heard of it before--will greatly
advant